Qualitative Evidence In Nursing Practice

Evidence-Base practice (EBP) is defined as: “based on problem identified from the practitioner’s area of practice; a combining of best evidence and professional expertise and an integration of this into current practice; about ensuring patients receive quality care, being part of quality improvement processes; about collaboration and requiring a team approach” (French, 1999). Scott and Mcsherry (2008) supported the French’s assertion, proposing the key elements of EBP are that it is a theory-driven process, which involves the use, evaluation and application of research; identification of best evidence; evaluation of care; problem solving; decision-making; clinical expertise; and requires patient involvement. Evidence-based practice is made of evidence, clinical expertise, patient preference, the context of care (Barker, 2013). In brief, evidence-based practice is the parameter in the nursing practice that it requires that the nurses gather and use clinical evidence to make decision for the patients so that in the nursing process they can deliver the quality of care for the patients (Ellis, 2013). In the other words, in the nursing practice all the nursing procedures performed by the clinical evidence supported.

As a provider of care, professional nurses depend on research, theories, and evidence based practice to guide the care they provide to patients. Nurses deliver care to their patients based on information they have learned through many years of school and training. Training for nurses and other providers of care is founded on theories, research, and evidence based practice in the healthcare field. Theories, research, and evidence based practice are all important for providing care to patients and each can be used in a different manner depending on the situation. Clinicians often use research based evidence to design and implement care that is high-quality and cost effective for patients. Evidence based practice can be used to provide care to patients in a steadily changing clinical environment. (PDF page 8-9). Nursing theories are frequently used as frameworks for establishing nursing care interventions and assessing

Evidence based practice is an integral part of nursing care. According to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, evidence based practice is defined as, “the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care.” (AMSN) The use of evidence based practice has drastically improved patient outcomes, increased quality and safety of healthcare, and reduced costs for facilities. (Melnyk, 2016) In this paper I will provide the history of evidence based practice, how it has already been incorporated and impacted healthcare, and why it is important to nursing and healthcare as a whole.

Even though evidence informed practice helps improve healthcare, there are still a few limitations. One main limitation is lack of time and accessibility. The best quality evidence is usually very difficult to locate, a busy nurse may not have the time to delve deep to find reliable sources. (NICE 2007) However there are now

Another important barrier is nursing education. Nurses who graduated many years ago were not taught evidence-based practice and even current schools focus too much researching rather than how to implement current research into care (AJN, 2012). This lack of knowledge on how to implement may stem from the lack of knowledge on how to read and interpret research data or that nurses might feel overwhelmed due to the fact that there is so much and might not know how to narrow what is important or how to read all of it (Brown et al., 2009). In the Tacia study (2015), advanced care nurses could easily point out

Conrad, A., Grotejohann, B., Schmoor, C., Cosic, D., & Dettenkofer, M. (2015). Safety and tolerability of virucidal hand rubs: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial with healthy volunteers. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 4(1), 1. doi:10.1186/s13756-015-0079-y

In order for a healthcare system to run effectively, research is essential when patents are involved. According to Jones (2016), research involves a structured, planned and logical approach to discovering new information, while aiming to extend understanding on a topic or problem area within the healthcare profession. To achieve this, research is divided into two methodologies, qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research involves methods that are concerned with human perceptions and understanding of their social reality, adopted under complex research topics (Washer, Salloch, Ritter, Vollmann, Schildmann, 2017). These are usually adapted when the exploration topic involves patient experiences, perceptions, meanings, intentions and behaviours (Jones, 2016). Whereas quantitative approaches aim to produce and control social phenomena, through measurement, evaluation and generalisation of findings of a population and encouraging the reproduction of the results obtained. These studies are based around testing hypotheses utilising patients to achieve research goals in controlled environments (Park & Park, 2016). This paper will explore the features of qualitative and quantitative research through papers involving patients in order to highlight the differences in their features, via the aim, data collection methods and results obtained. The quantitative paper explores the effect of muscle energy technique and passive stretching on patients with functional disability with

However Melnyk et al (2004) also recognized that nurses as individuals need to be educated on acquiring valid evidence. Consequently Melnyk et al (2004) believes practitioners’ should have access to evidence based mentors’ and be able to attend workshops. Harbison (2001) alleges nurses’ are resistant to analysis of new approaches, this in reflection correlates strongly in current practice with some colleagues.

This paper will discuss how evidence based practice effects nursing practice and how nurses can apply what they learn to their practice. Evidence based practice is a great way to improve the quality of care we provide. “Evidence based practice means using the best available research findings to make clinical decisions that are most effective and beneficial for patients” (Chitty & Black, 2011, p.258). By allowing nurses to participate in research and development, we are able to see firsthand how effective our intervention can be. Nurses run into all kinds of problems on a daily basis and they are able to share their experience and expertise to help develop a better way to solve a problem.

Evidence based practice, “involves integrating the best available research evidence with professional expertise while also taking account of patient preferences the patients state setting and circumstance and health care resources” (Gerrish, K. Lathlean, J, 2015). As the health care profession constantly changes, then it is vital that all evidence based practice is kept up to date with current information and research, relating to nursing practice. Always assuring that the patients need are taken into consideration (Sackett et al, 1996).

Sterile technique is required for insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter in the hospital setting, but clean technique can be used for intermittent catheterization in non-acute settings. By itself, sterile technique on insertion doesn't prevent UTI’s. Prevention of UTI’s depends on knowledge of causes, proper care techniques, and early catheter removal. Nurses are taught early on in school that sterile technique helps to reduce infections. It was drilled in our heads the entire time and now to have the evidence tell us that early catheter removal, along with proper technique good hand hygiene is the key to reduce UTI’s.

Evidence based practice is an important priority in nursing because it ensures that the best quality and most effective care is being used. Restraint use is an intervention that is being minimized more and more. It can be an important intervention when necessary but there are specific circumstances and guidelines that must be followed. Evidence based practice is proving that restraint use may be eliminated due to safety concerns and more beneficial interventions being used.

I have been working as a registered nurse for almost 17 months. In that short amount of time, I feel have contributed to the nursing profession in many ways. First and foremost, my nursing skills and evidence-based practice has contributed not only to the nursing profession but it also benefits the patients I care for. I provide a safe, clean environment for my patients and use my nursing skills to deliver exceptional care to my patients.

Evidence based practice is more likely to take hold in an environment that is supportive and understanding that change although may be necessary is typically difficult to implement without some resistance. Evidence based practices are crucial in improving patient outcomes and having healthier patients at discharge. This in turn can reduce re-hospitalizations, allow for better participation in rehab if needed and promote better disease self management along with cost savings at the hospital. In order to provide this, the floor nurses need to be educated on the new process and fully understand why it is better then how it was previously being done. Resources should be readily available be it extra staff, supplies or constant and continuous education

Nursing research has been a part of nursing practice for many years, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative research; it is essential in guiding nursing practice. Many nurses have a baseline understanding of research in general, but it is important for the researcher to understand their own values and beliefs when determining the type of research they will be performing. By understanding the differences between epistemology, methodology, and methods, the researcher can confidently conduct a valid research project.